Hanoi, the country’s capital unfairly overlooked due to the famous Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon) because of how the War portrayed it towards foreign tourists. When in fact, Hanoi is one of the most picturesque, culturally rich, and has well-laid streets that it one of the world’s most attractive and interesting cities. It’s the country’s cultural heart where its thousand-year history is ever-present and takes centerstage by its centuries-old but well-preserved colonial architecture.  

If you happen to be in the Northeastern part of Vietnam, particularly in the province of Cao Bang, you must be there to visit the grand Ban Gioc Waterfall. But if it was never part of your itinerary, you should revise it immediately to include this wonder of nature – it is the fourth largest waterfall in the world and sits at the country’s border just 30 km from neighboring China. It is 300 meters wide and its massive size is just breathtaking.

Looking for adventure but dread the crowds? The province of Cao Bang may just be the destination fit for you. It’s on the Northeastern-most part of Vietnam and one of its main attractions, the Ban Gioc Waterfall sits on the border and is just 30 km from China. If you visit at the right time, ideally from October to April, Cao Bang is a laid-back getaway with five major river systems and 47 lakes and most of the province is protected as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

For history buffs, Dien Bien Phu is a place that one should dream about visiting. It was the site of the Dien Bien Phu battle during the First Indochina War. A battle between the French and the Vietminh (both Communist and nationalist) that resulted in the colonists surrendering to the Vietnamese and ended the French colonial presence in Southeast Asia but also led to the division of the country into North and South.